On BBC's Dragon's Den, an entrepreneur offering the whole company is offering 100% of the business.
Equity is the ownership stake in a company. When a founder asks for investment in exchange for 100% equity, the proposed deal would give the investor or investors ownership of the entire company, subject to the exact legal terms of any agreement. Such a request is unusual because founders normally retain some stake and control.
The programme often turns equity percentages into the central negotiating issue. A founder states the amount requested and the percentage offered; the implied valuation is calculated by comparing the investment with the proposed stake. For example, £50,000 for 10% implies a £500,000 post-money valuation in simple terms.
A televised offer is not necessarily a completed investment. Due diligence, legal negotiations, and changing circumstances can prevent a deal from completing after filming. This distinction is one reason reported on-screen deals and final business outcomes may differ.